5 Business Apps for Staying Organized in 2018

As a business owner, you know firsthand how critical it is to stay on top of all your tasks and deadlines. But doing so can be complicated, especially while balancing multiple to-dos simultaneously.

However, there are tools to help you. From scanning documents to improving productivity, these seven apps will help small business owners stay organized and productive in the new year.

1. CamScanner

Need to sign forms or email documents? CamScanner turns your smartphone camera into a scanner, creating PDF or JPG files that you can save, email or print wirelessly. Once you take a picture of the document you want to scan, the app removes any background, adjusts the angle and tilt, fixes any issues with brightness or color, and creates a high-resolution final document.

2. Expensify

Expensify allows you to keep track of business expenses or process reimbursements without worrying about paper receipts. You can link the app directly to a credit or debit account. It automatically tracks charges and places them on an expense report. Or, if you prefer, you can use your phone's camera to take pictures of receipts, and Expensify will extract and upload the relevant information.

3. GoToMeeting

If your business requires conference calls with employees or clients, GoToMeeting can provide a single hub that connects users from their phone, computer or tablet. The app includes screen sharing, as well as an audio and video connection, and you can record the call for later playback. GoToMeeting can also sync to your calendar, so you can schedule meetings in advance or create regular team appointments.

4. Moment

Time management is a struggle for many small business owners, especially with smartphones providing endless distractions. You can boost your productivity with the Moment app, which tracks your phone usage and gives you a clear snapshot of how you are actually spending your day. To limit your phone time, you can use the app to set daily limits and receive notifications when you go over your allotted time.

5. Asana

Asana provides a platform for teams that collaborate and communicate about projects. An Asana board allows you to create tasks and projects, monitor progress, share notes, upload files, and communicate directly with team members and employees. It integrates with Google Drive and Dropbox for file sharing and lets you share updates to your Slack channels.

6. PayPal Here

If you need to get paid both online and on the go, PayPal Here is PayPal's new point of sale app. It allows you to turn your phone or tablet into a mobile register while staying connected to your PayPal account. The first mobile card reader is free; you can pay an additional fee for extra readers or chip readers. The chip reader accepts contactless payments such as Apple Pay.

7. TripIt

If you are a frequent business traveler, TripIt consolidates all your travel information, regardless of where you bought tickets, rented your car or booked hotel rooms. When you receive confirmation emails for your travels, forward them to TripIt to create a custom itinerary for each trip. The app also allows you to view departure times, check delays or weather reports and get directions.

Katharine Paljug is a freelance content creator and editor who writes for and about small businesses. In addition to Business News Daily, her articles can be found on Your Care Everywhere, She Knows, and YFS Magazine. Visit her website to access her free library of resources for small business owners.